I Passed L.A.R.E. Sec. A
I passed the L.A.R.E. Section A exam! All that studying with Briana and dinners with her boss, Ann McGuinness, really paid off. Now I just have 4 more tests to pass before I get my license. I'm worried because section A is the shortest test (and the least difficult of the 5). I have two more multiple choice tests and two graphic tests. The next test I am taking is Section B (Inventory, Analysis, and Program Development) in September 2010. Next year I will take the last multiple choice, Section D (Design and Construction Documentation) in March 2011. I want to get the multiple choice tests out of the way first. Then, I want to take the first graphic test, Section C (Site Design; a 5 hour test) in June 2011. I do not know if I want to take both the drawing tests one right after another (they are both only in June), so I may take the final test, Section E (Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management; a 5 hour test), in June 2012. Once I pass all the tests, I will be a licensed Landscape Architect in Texas. Then, if need be, I could pay a reciprocity fee in other states to become a licensed Landscape Architect in that state.
25th Birthday
It's common for people to evaluate their lives after tragedy, sickens, birthdays, and when a new year comes around -- so it will be no surprise to you that I have just evaluated my life. I'm turning 25. According to livingto100.com -- after answering many "life" questions -- I am expected to live to a ripe old age of 90. Which means I have lived 27% of my life. That's not bad. I've done a lot of major life milestones already -- traveled 3/5 of the USA, traveled to Europe, graduated from college, got a job, bought a car, had a long-term relationship, broke-up, had pets, so on. I was looking online for what people should do before they turn 30 and came across this list:
- Budget and Invest -- Check! I have a massive Excel budget that dictates what I do down the the penny every two weeks. And I am happy to say I started to invest last month. Double Check!
- Drive a Wickedly Cool Car (even if you have to rent it) -- Check! And yes, I had to rent it. I rented an Audi TT 2008 coupe in Germany for a weekend (Recommended retail price: $40,000+). I even went on the German Autobahn over 140 MPH.
- Date Against Type -- Check! This is funny because it was one of my New Year's resolutions. If anyone asks me out, I say, "Yes." I'm trying to find friends, the "one," and also make connections for later in life.
- See the World -- Check? I've seen a lot, but I want to see/return to San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Toronto Canada, Athens Greece, Cologne Germany, Venice Italy, London England, Dublin Ireland, and Thailand and/or Japan. On my maybe list, I would like to see Hawaii, Egypt, Mexico, and Madagascar. For some reason, I have no desire to visit Australia -- you would think I would, but no. I'd also love to go on a cruise -- maybe I could go on a cruise to places I have not been and kill two stones with one bird (I don't like to talk about killing things, hence the back-assward colloquialism -- I'm quirky).
- Live in a Cool Place -- Check! I guess "cool" is defined by the beholder -- I think that living in Germany for 4 months counts.
- Cook a Meal -- Check! I cook for myself all the time and have even cooked more then one Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends. Also, in this topic it also stated some things you should know how to do before you are 30, like Hard-boil an egg, make a pie from scratch (including the crust), make cookies from scratch, bake a turkey, sew a button, open a bottle of champagne, and so on... i'm happy to say "Check" to all of that too!
- Do Something Physically Adventurous -- Check! In 2006 I hiked to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Angels Landing Trail is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in the US National Park System. The park's pride and joy runs along a narrow rock fin with dizzying sheer cliffs on both sides. The trail culminates at a lofty perch, boasting magnificent views in every direction. The hike is about 5 miles -- with an elevation change of over 1500 feet -- and takes about 5.5 hours to complete.
- Get a Website -- Check! I've had one for over 6 years and I maintain it myself.
- Be on Television --- Check! I was in a political TV campaign commercial when I was 6 and on the 6 O'clock news once.
- Survive a Broken Heart -- Check. I've had a broken heart, the kind that sends you into depression for months. I didn't know why this was important untill I read more. The site stated that being broken hearted at a younger age will teach you how to pick yourself up and move on. If you know you can do it when you are young, you'll know you can do it when you are older. It's better to move on from a bad relationship then stick with it because it's all you've known. And this is not just about romance, but even relates to your job, investments, goals, and more. I guess it's like chickenpox -- better when you're young!
I was thinking, for some people, the above list could be a list of life time achievements. But, I guess for me it was a list of things to do before I turned 25. I must be 5 years fast. So here is an addendum list, I created, to complete in the next 5 years:
- Learn to fold a fitted sheet (like Grandma)
- Keep a basil plant alive for more than a year
- Pay off all credit cards
- Establish an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses
- Do a simple good deed everyday (whether opening a door, giving directions, or throwing away trash on the sidewalk that was not mine)
I Got A Residence!
After apartment hunting for days, I found one. Get this; I was looking for apartments online around $600/month. All the apartments for that price were either outside loop 635 or in west Dallas (over 10 miles from my work, which is just north of the Medical District in east Dallas). I really wanted to find something relatively new and urban. Something with stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors (something stylish). I want to live like the urban modern metro professionals. I mean, come one, I am a new professional working in Dallas!
I was loosing hope of finding my dream apartment -- until I went by a new (built in April new) multi-use apartment complex just 2.3 miles form my work. I drove by it on my lunch break my first day of work (it has a Thai restaurant and a Jimmy John's on the first floor). I just went in to see how much something I dreamed of would run in Dallas. Let me explain what they told me:
- Two Bi-Level Resort-Style Pools with Infinity Edges/Tanning Pools
- Garden Courtyards
- Entertainment Lounge with 50" Hi-Def Flat Screen/Internet Cafe
- Fully-Equipped Fitness Center
- Arcade with Pool Table
- Gourmet Kitchen (Granite Countertops, Mahogany Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances)
- Faux Hardwood Floors in Kitchen and Bath
- Full-size Washer and Dryer in Every Unit
- High-speed Internet Access
- Gated 4-Story Parking Garage
After they showed me the studio apartment -- which I instantly feel in love with -- we went back to the leasing office and looked at prices. She said the rent was $650. I looked at her and said, "a week?" She laughed and said, "No, a month." Then she said that they were having a deal that if you rented before October 31st, you got November rent free! I said, "I'll take it!" I signed a 12 months lease. Because of the economy and that they are only 30% occupied, they have low rent and good deals. I am so excited. I get the keys October 30th -- I will fully move in November 1st.
I cannot believe I found this apartment. Everything I was looking for: price, near my work, hardwood floors, new appliances (w/ washer/dryer), pool, fitness center, near downtown, near upscale grocery store, near urban center, and soon to be on the green/orange DART public transportation lines. I am glad it is small too -- this way I only need a bed, night stands, sofa, side table, and TV stand. Now I am even more excited! I wanted to see how far things would be from my new place, so I did some research:
- My work is 2.3 miles
- My Bank of America Branch is 1.2 miles
- My Kroger Grocery Store is 1.5 miles & Whole Foods Grocery Store is 2.1 miles
- My Bars are 1.7 miles
- My Bread Winers Cafe (my fav Dallas restaurant) is 2.7 miles
- My Magnolia Theater is 2.8 miles
- My Williams-Sonoma is 3.2 miles & Bed Bath and Beyond is 7.2 miles
- My Z Gallery is 3.5 miles & Target is 3.7 miles & West Elm is 4.8 miles
- Oh, and my future DART Station (Southwestern Medical District/Parkland Station; being built right now) will be .1 mile -- across the street
I cannot wait for people to come visit me once I am settled in. Which you must -- consider this your invitation!
I Got A Car!
Now that I have a job, I needed a car to get around and go to Dallas this Sunday. So, I got a car! I walked into the car dealership and after 4 hours with a headache, I came out the owner of a 2007 MAZDA3 i Sport 4dr Sedan. I got them to drop the price $1,188 and replace the brake-pads and tires. Supposedly, I have good credit so I got an interest rate under 7% (this is a good rate because I have an active co-loan on another car). I also got car insurance from Unitrin Direct. They gave me a better rate (~$700/6 months) then Geico (~$900/6 moths). I know that I am a single male under 25, but does car insurance really have to be so expensive? Will I suddenly drive safer on my 25th birthday? Oh well, I got a car!
I Got A Job!
I got a job offer! I accepted the job offer from Archiverde Landscape Architecture in Dallas, Texas. The position is full-time with paid vacation and holidays. My salary is just a bit more than the average $35,300 starting salary reported by the 2009 Graduating Student Survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Amazingly, I start Monday (October 26, 2009)! Because of the short notice, my boss is paying for up to two weeks at an extended hotel until I find a place to live. I am very excited and stunned. I thought I would have a few weeks after I accepted an offer to see friends and move. Oh well, you never know what will happen. Wish me luck!
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Diploma
I got my diploma framed today. Shari, my mom, bought the frame for my graduation present back in May. I went into the frame shop in the MSC basement and they had everything on record. I checked to see what combination of frame/matte my mom decided on -- it was exactly what I would have choose. I guess she knows me. Anyway, what was funny is the check in lady's husband lived in Germany for over two years and speaks fluent German. He just got back from a business trip from Germany -- what a coincidence. I wonder if he was on my plane back to Texas? Spooky.
A Presidential Proclamation
Happy National LGBT Month! It's funny, being in Europ you hear about USA news faster then when you are in the USA. Maybe it is because we are 7 hours ahead here. Read the Proclamation.
Sigma Lambda Alpha (ΣΛΑ)
I have good news. Today I was notified that I have been inducted into Sigma Lambda Alpha (ΣΛΑ). Sigma Lambda Alpha is a national scholastic honor society recognizing academic achievement among students in the Landscape Architecture field. I was told I would have been inducted sooner, but for some reason I was overlooked; it has been corrected and now I am a member.
24th Street House
I moved into a house! We had to sublease our apartment so we would not be paying rent at two places. The issue was that the sub-leaser wanted to move in December 1st. Darrell agreed because we did not know if we would find another person. He moved out of the apartment and into my mom's house for 10 days. Two days after I got back from Germany we moved into the house on closing day. Also, it was a special day in Bryan/College Station becuase it snowed--yes, snowed! What a nice house warming gift from mother nature.
The house is a little under 1500 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms and two baths. It was built in 1929, but completly renovated in 2007. When I mean renovated, I mean renovated: new wiring, new plumbing, new AC, new water heater, moved walls, moved windows, new carpet, completely re-configured. It even has granite countertops and a working wood burning fire place. It is on a corner lot--nice to only have one neighbor on one side.
Darrell, of course, has plans to paint everything. Because I am off from school right now I have been instructed to paint--primarily public rooms and trim. The guest bath, one bedroom, and kitchen are now painted. In the kitchen we needed to buy a range, over the range microwave, and fridge. We got Frigidaire appliances to match the stainless steel dishwasher already here. The oven and microwave arrived Wednesday and the fridge is arriving December 31st (we are using a small temporary college fridge right now). To finish the kitchen we are going to tile the backsplash, sometime in the next week.
I'll post more about it as we go along.